Appearing on the Main Stage at 3:30 p.m.

In Austin, Texas—a town overflowing with gifted singer-songwriters and guitar players—Christine Albert and Chris Gage have a 12-year track record of making beautiful music together, although both musicians’ individual pedigrees are far more extensive.

Christine Albert left her childhood home in Upstate New York to cut her musical teeth in northern New Mexico. Along with friend and fellow New Mexico chanteuse Eliza Gilkyson (whom she also cites as an early influence and inspiration), Albert relocated to Austin in 1982. In 1996 she was voted Female Vocalist of the Year in the Kerrville Music Awards poll.

Christine released several solo albums, including some featuring French songs, before meeting Chris Gage in 1997. She says, “Musically, I like to go in lots of different directions [from country songs to French chansons] and Chris goes right along with me. It’s not just that he plays bluegrass or folk or blues, but that he plays it all with so much integrity and soul.”

Chris Gage hails from South Dakota and began touring in a station wagon at age 15. In the mid-70s and early 80s, he led the popular midwestern country-swing Red Willow Band, and then played piano with guitar virtuoso and country star Roy Clark. He served as musical director for the Fiesta Texas theme park in San Antonio, then became bandleader for West Texas alt.- country singer-songwriter Jimmie Dale Gilmore.

In addition to performing, Chris and Christine have their own studio and record label, MoonHouse.

The Houston Press said, “They can rock, boogie, swing, trot down country roads and stride down sophisticated boulevards and make it all sound as it should: like parts of a unified whole rather than a mishmash of different styles. Albert and Gage have global class, musicality and charm.” Dirty Linen said their first live recording had “energy, humor, really fine duet singing, strong leads, original harmonies, a strong sense of partnership, personality, and musicality.”

In addition to appeaing on our Main Stage, Albert and Gage will also be on “Folkstage” on Saturday night, July 16, Festival eve, at 8 p.m. on WFMT/98.7.

Visit Albert and Gage at AlbertAndGage.com.